The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have revealed the qualification system for cricket at the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics. Six teams will compete in men’s and women’s T20 events. No men’s teams have yet qualified for the event, but four women’s teams have.
4 teams confirmed
Using the rankings from the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC and IOC have confirmed Australia, Great Britain (England), India and South Africa as the teams that have qualified for the LA28 Olympics. Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania were all guaranteed one spot. The highest-placed eligible finishers from the continents have qualified.
Hosts, not in yet
The fifth spot has been awarded to the hosts, the USA. However, with a stipulation. If they aren’t among the top 15 ranked teams as per ICC T20I rankings at any time during the qualification period from 30 June 2026 to 31 December 2026, the next highest-placed non-qualified nation in the ICC T20I rankings will be granted the spot on 1 March 2027. The last spot will be determined via a first-ever ICC Olympics Qualifier in 2027, which will feature 8 teams.
What about the West Indies?
Although the West Indies finished ahead of India in the Women’s T20 World Cup, since the ICC member isn’t recognised as an IOC National Olympic Committee (NOC) because they are made up of 13 independent countries, the Women in Maroon can’t obtain a quota. However, if the West Indies remain in the top 8 teams in the ICC T20I rankings as of 31 December 2026, a Caribbean Qualifier will be held. The winner of which will enter the ICC Olympics Qualifier 2027 and have a chance to feature in the LA28 Olympics.
Women’s cricket at LA28 Olympics explained
All six teams will be allowed to select a 15-member squad, similar to the current Women’s World Cups. The teams will be divided into 2 groups of 3. Each team will play two games against teams in their group and two against teams in the other. The top two teams will play the gold/silver medal match, and the bronze medal will be decided between the third- and fourth-ranked teams. All of the games will be held in Pomona, home of the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the Major League Cricket.
- Teams – 4 (through continental rankings) + 1 Host (if ranked among top 15) + 1 qualifier
- Squad strength – 15 each
- Total athletes – 90
- Groups – Two of 3 teams
- Matches – 28
- Venue – Pomona
